Chapter One

F ifteen years later

Kasey Hunter stared out the backseat window of the Toyota trying to figure out how his life got so fucked up.

Forty-eight hours ago, he wouldn’t have traded his life for anything.

Now, he’d swap lives with anyone who asked.

If only that was possible.

The Uber driver stopped the car in front of the nightclub with a huge brown neon sign in the shape of a boot with Tiny’s flashing in red.

Kasey blew out a breath knowing this was where he needed to be at the moment. The Star Breeze, an entertainment news program, wouldn’t run the piece on what transpired yesterday until tomorrow.

If he wasn’t a public figure, he’d be able to escape the humiliation, but he couldn’t.

She’d made certain of that.

He didn’t look forward to being hounded for a statement or the media circus that would ensue as soon as the news broke.

His Uber driver, Perry, a twenty-something college student, recognized him and had been good company on the drive. Instead of peppering Kasey with questions, he’d talked about studying for finals this week and how he only had one more semester before he graduated with a computer science degree.

Perry set the car in park and turned in his seat. “Hit me up if you need a ride while you’re in town. If you request me, day or night, I’ll show up.”

“Will do. I hope you ace your finals.”

“Thanks.”

Kasey slid from the car, punched the app on his phone, and left Perry a hundred-dollar tip.

Bouquet of flowers in hand, he headed toward the club. It was ten o’clock, and there was a crowd waiting to get inside. He glanced at the door on his way to join the line. Mike Marshall, the owner, stood right inside the door. The club was in Houston, yet only minutes from where he’d grown up in Katy.

Mike spotted him and motioned him forward. Once Kasey got close, the three-hundred-pound man with tattoos covering his arms grasped his hand and pumped it enthusiastically. “Good to see you, Kasey.”

“You too. Looks crowded.”

“Everyone’s thirsty.” Mike ushered him inside. “I have to relieve my bouncer for his break. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Thanks for getting me in.”

“Least I can do.” Mike’s words and his expression were full of gratitude. They’d talked about being held at gunpoint many times, especially right after the holdup, even attended some therapy sessions together. Mike had expressed over and over how grateful he was that Kasey intervened with the robber, saying he wasn’t sure what would’ve happened otherwise. The deep gut feeling Kasey sometimes got when thinking about what they went through cramped his stomach. Not wanting to give it his attention or energy, he nodded to Mike and continued into the club.

From what he could see with the dim lighting, Mike had done extensive renovations since the last time he was here. Whereas it used to hold the vibe of a dingy nightclub, now it resembled a barn with a loft in one corner, paneled walls, and clear milk jug lights hanging from the ceiling. A bar with stools took up the left wall and was flanked by swinging doors on each end. Pub tables and chairs surrounded the huge dance floor.

A cute blonde bumped into him. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“Wait, you’re Hunter Kase.”

He smiled tightly. He hated the name the network insisted he use. Well, she insisted he use.

Blondie squealed. “Oh my God. You have to come meet my friends.”

“I’m here for a party. I’m sure I’ll meet your friends during the night.”

“Oh, it’ll just take a minute.” She latched onto his arm.

He sighed. While following her, he searched for Andre Biel. He’d texted his friend an hour ago, and Dre told him to meet them here for Quinn’s birthday party. The two were married just weeks ago.

Blondie stopped at a bar table where a girl sat with two guys. Kasey saw immediate recognition on the guys’ faces. One shouted, “Hunter Kase!”

A few people around them turned their heads and approached. Luckily, the music was loud, and not everyone heard. After five minutes of smiling for pictures, Kasey excused himself. “I’m meeting friends.”

“We’re all friends here,” the blonde said, obviously not ready for him to leave.

Kasey waved and walked away. He found Dre, Zackary Truex, and Zack’s wife, Sadie, in a quiet corner at the back of the club playing pool.

Sadie excitedly rushed over when she spotted him. It was a relief to see her and Zack together. They’d separated after the death of their two-year-old son. Neither knew how to go forward until they’d been paired on the reality show Chasing Sunsets and found their way back to each other. “How long are you in town?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” he answered as he hugged her.

“Save a dance for me.” She hurried off, her ponytail swaying as she walked away.

“Your turn.” Zack held out a pool stick. He was the worst pool player Kasey knew and used any excuse not to play.

Dre shook Kasey’s hand and pulled him close to slap his back. “Are you alone?”

“Yes.” His friends knew what he’d planned yesterday, and he hadn’t filled them in on the details of what happened yet. This wasn’t the time to discuss that clusterfuck.

They asked no more questions.

Dre simply said, “Nine-ball. You rack.” Dre didn’t sink any balls into a pocket on the break.

On his turn, Kasey saw a combination where he could hit the one ball into the nine to win the game. He lined the shot up and hit the nine ball into the side pocket.

Zack laughed. “When did you last play?”

“Last time we were here. The night of the tornado.”

“More than half a year ago and you do that on your first shot.” Shaking his head, Dre said, “I stand by what I said that night. Instead of performing dangerous stunts, your reality show should follow you around the world while you train and play different sports. I believe you can compete against any pro in just about every sport.”

Before Kasey could argue, Dre’s wife, Quinn, approached them. She was as bright as sunshine with her golden blonde hair and beaming smile. “What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t miss your party.” Kasey grabbed the bouquet he’d brought and handed it to her. “Happy Birthday.”

“Oh, how sweet.” She took the flowers and hugged him. “Come. I want to introduce you to my friends.”

Kasey picked up his beer. Dre did the same, and they followed her. Since Dre played in the NFL, and Kasey’s show had been on for four seasons, many people called their names and wanted them to stop. Quinn made excuses and said she needed them right now.

When Dre stopped to talk to Mike, Kasey continued on with Quinn. She introduced him to her friends standing at the edge of the dance floor. Then she led him to a table with tons of drinks scattered around and a woman sitting at it. He could only make out her profile. She did not look happy.

“Amanda,” Quinn called.

The lady spun around in her chair. “Nice to see you again, Kasey.”

See me again? Although he didn’t remember her, he liked that she didn’t call him Hunter or Hunter Kase. And how could he not remember her? She was beautiful.

His confusion must have showed because she continued, “At Quinn and Dre’s wedding I was a blonde.” She pointed at her raven black hair.

“Amanda.” He recalled her now. Her hair was cut in the same short precise style. She wore jeans and a shirt with Goodson High School written above a fierce looking lemur. Quinn and some of the others were dressed in the same shirt.

A new tune started, and Quinn set the bouquet on the table and excitedly said, “I love this song. I’m going to find Dre.”

She left Kasey standing there.

“You want to sit?” Amanda motioned to the empty chair next to her. “I helped Sadie plan this surprise party. I don’t remember seeing your name on the guest list.”

He pulled out the chair and sat. “You think I’m crashing the party?”

“Maybe.” Amanda brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

“You’d be right. I texted Dre to tell him I was in town, and he invited me to join the birthday celebration.”

“I met your girlfriend at the wedding. Is she with you?”

“We’re not together anymore.” It was the first time he’d said the words out loud.

A hand snaked around his shoulder.

He stiffened, then took a breath and centered himself. Following the holdup, someone surprising him from behind would send him into a panic. Now, he could control the fear. He turned his head to find a redhead standing close. Her flowery perfume clouded the air. “Hunter Kase, how about a dance?”

“I can’t right now. I’m in the middle of a conversation.”

She rubbed his shoulder. “I’m sure your friend won’t mind.”

“I can’t be rude,” he explained. “You understand.”

With a pout on her red lips, the woman walked off.

“Is that normal? Women throwing themselves at you?” Amanda asked.

He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve taken a vow of celibacy.”

“Becoming a priest?”

“Oh, hell no.”

She laughed, which made her eyes twinkle. He couldn’t tell the color in this lighting and didn’t remember from the last time they’d met. “So, why have you sworn off sex?”

“I need time to recalibrate.”

“I get it. I swore off sex following my divorce.”

“How long were you married?”

“Five years.” She flicked a speck of something off the table.

“Is he a prick? Do I need to kick his ass?”

“He’s a great guy. My first real boyfriend.”

“Your high school sweetheart?”

“Oh, no. High school came too early in my development. At least, as far as my body was concerned. I didn’t develop until my twenties.”

He held up his beer bottle like toasting. “Well, your twenties did a hell of a job.”

“Kind of you to say.” Even in the shadows, he noticed her skin brightened at his words. “Especially, since I didn’t get a chance to change and wash off the day. Right after school, we took Quinn out to dinner as camouflage and came straight here for the surprise party.”

He pointed at her shirt. “You teach?”

“I’m a counselor.”

Dr. Youst came to his mind. The morning after the gun fiasco, he’d been a wreck when he walked into her office. When he left three hours later, he’d felt worlds better, calmer. He’d met with her weekly until he left for college and drove in once a month for a couple of years. They still had sessions over Zoom every once in a while. With what happened yesterday, he should probably make an appointment with her and talk about it.

He cracked his neck.

Amanda studied him. “Which Jane Austen character are you?”

“You’ve heard about my mom’s obsession.”

“I’m in a book club with her. She told me how she named her boys after characters in Jane Austen’s books.”

“All except for me,” he clarified. “My name is Austen, spelled with an E as Jane spelled it. Austen Kastor Hunter.”

“Kastor?”

“My great grandfather’s name.”

“And your brothers?”

“Bennet James, Darcy Henry, Oliver Collins, and Ethan Knightly. Darcy and Bennet are the only ones who go by their Austen names.”

“It’s interesting.”

“It gives people something to talk about.” He’d lived with the oddity his whole life. “Why did you look miserable earlier?”

She leaned over and murmured, “Country music is not my favorite.”

“That’d explain it.” He chuckled.

“You know, as a licensed counselor, if you’d like to share why you’ve chosen to take a celibacy vow, I am beholden to keep it confidential.”

“Beholden? Who says beholden?”

“Blame it on the historical books I read.”

“It’s a torrid, messy tale. You sure you want to hear it?”

“Of course. Torrid tales are always the best.” She lifted what appeared to be a strawberry daiquiri to her lips.

He hadn’t told anyone the story and was surprised it hadn’t been leaked to the public. He glanced around. His friends were busy, each giving their soulmates their undivided attention.

Tennessee Whisky came on, and Amanda swayed in her seat. It was the first time he’d seen her slightly move to the music.

“You like this song?” he asked.

“It’s one of the few country songs I like.”

“Let’s dance.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Trying to get out of telling me your tale?”

“No. I like this song too.” He stood. “Come on, we’re going to miss it.”

“Why, yes, Kasey, I’d love to dance. Thanks for ordering me to do it.”

Her sarcasm was well-placed. “Sorry. Amanda, would you like to dance?”

“Better.”

Once on the dance floor, he faced her and clasped one of her hands, his other found her lower back, and he swept her across the floor. He’d learned long ago most girls liked a guy who danced, so he’d had his girlfriends in high school and college teach him.

Amanda’s perfume held a hint of a scent of white cake. Not cloying, simply inviting. So inviting, he wanted to press his nose to her throat and smell it full force.

It was too soon after his breakup to have such a thought. A rebound reaction to the last twenty-four hours for sure.

This song was what his dad called belly-rubbing music. Slow, with a beat that urged a couple to snuggle. As they turned, Amanda stepped too quickly. He squeezed her hand. “Let me lead.”

She frowned. “I don’t dance to country.”

“Which is why you should let me lead.”

“I’ll try.”

He gently pulled her closer and applied pressure on her hand and her hip as he guided her. “Small steps, move with me.”

She stared up at him.

Tempted to pull her even closer, he didn’t. He kept everything respectable, and her body eventually relaxed in his hold. The song ended, and a fast song came on.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“I’ll get us drinks and meet you in the back by the dart boards. It’s less noisy back there. A strawberry daiquiri, right?”

“A virgin.”

“Well, your virgin pairs nicely with my celibacy.”

She let out a low, sexy chuckle and headed toward a table in the corner.

Was he fixing to spill his guts to a woman he’d met one time? Although she’d promised not to talk about whatever he told her, he had no idea if he should trust her. But she was Quinn’s friend and something about her put him at ease.

Twenty minutes later, he’d told her everything. Every last sordid detail. She’d listened, her eyes never wandering from his face. She lifted her drink and clinked it to the beer in his hand. “That, my friend, is messed up.”

And how.

“Nothing like waiting for a bomb to go off.”

“I know.” He sipped his beer.

As he set the bottle down, Amanda reached over and patted his hand. “Her mistake.”

“Thanks. I don’t pretend to be perfect. Even so, I’d never—” Motion by the entrance caught his attention. His heart plunged to his gut. There she was, looking absolutely gorgeous. “Shit.”

Amanda looked to where he stared. Abruptly, she stood and pulled on his arm. “Let’s get you out of here.”

He followed her as she stayed by the wall and darted behind and around people. They moved as fast as possible while trying not to look conspicuous. “I need to tell Dre I’m leaving and call an Uber.”

“I’ll tell him,” Amanda assured him. “And you can call once you’re outside.”

The music suddenly stopped.

“Where are you, Hunter Kase?” Mike’s voice boomed over the speakers.

Amanda didn’t stop. She motioned him in front of her. If he made it to the hallway, he might be able to sneak out.

“He’s right there,” someone shouted.

“Damn,” he uttered in surrender as he turned toward Amanda. She laced her fingers through his and tugged him along.

The woman started toward them from across the room, two of his brothers behind her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” his betrayer said.

“All confrontation is based on deception.” ~ Paul Watson